Multistrand suture package

Abstract

An improved package for a plurality of needled sutures comprising a folded suture retainer wherein a bundle of substantially aligned suture strands are coiled between two folded panels while the needles are retained between two adjacent folded panels. The needles are centered on one panel by an opening communicating with the interior of the package. A removable portion in the outer needle retaining panel provides access to the needles while the bulk of the suture remains coiled within the package.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An elongated, folded retainer for a plurality of surgical sutures comprising first and second needle retaining panels foldably connected along one major edge thereof, and   third and fourth suture retaining panels foldably connected along one major edge thereof,   said second needle retaining panel being further foldably connected to said third suture retaining panel along the other major edge thereof   said second needle retaining panel having a tab extending beyond the foldline between the first and second needle retaining panels and a die cut extending diagonally toward the center and across the width of said panel from said tab to the foldline between said second and third panels to form a removable panel portion,   said first needle retaining panel having a central opening and a slot extending from said opening to an outside edge of said panel, said central opening being positioned to underlie said removable panel portion of said second panel when said first and second panels are folded together, and   said fourth panel having an upper edge contoured to avoid overlapping said central opening of said first panel when said retainer is in its folded configuration,   said retainer when folded with said first and fourth panels enclosed between said second and third panels, forming an internal cavity between the third and fourth panels adapted to contain a plurality of surgical sutures coiled therein with one end of said sutures extending from said cavity through said central opening in the first panel to a point underlying said removable panel portion of said second panel.   
     
     
       2. A retainer of claim 1 including an end flap foldably connected to the end of the third panel adjacent the removable portion of the second panel and adapted to be folded over said third panel, the extremity of said flap being contoured to avoid overlapping the central opening in said first panel when said retainer is in a folded configuration. 
     
     
       3. A retainer of claim 2 wherein the extremity of said end flap in combination with the slotted opening in said first panel defines an aperture communicating between said second panel and the internal cavity of said retainer. 
     
     
       4. A retainer of claim 1 having integral locking means to secure said retainer in its folded configuration. 
     
     
       5. A retainer of claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises a tab bridging the foldline between said first and second panels and a corresponding cooperating slot in said fourth panel adjacent the foldline between said third and forth panels, whereby when said retainer is in its folded configuration, said tab engages said slot in a locking relationship. 
     
     
       6. A retainer of claim 1 including gussets formed by dual foldlines extending over a substantial portion of the length of the foldlines between said second, third and fourth panels. 
     
     
       7. A retainer of claim 6 including apertures for suture winding pins within the gusset between said second and third panels. 
     
     
       8. A retainer of claim 1 wherein the fourth panel includes a foldline defining a narrow flap along the other major edge thereof. 
     
     
       9. A retainer of claim 1 wherein said slot in said first panel forms a channel extending from the tab of said second panel to the opening in the first panel. 
     
     
       10. A suture package comprising in combination a folded retainer of claim 1 and a plurality of needled sutures, the needles of said sutures being positioned between said first and second panels with the sutures extending from between said panels through the opening in said first panel and into an internal cavity between said third and fourth panels, with the bulk of said suture being coiled between said third and fourth panels. 
     
     
       11. A suture package of claim 10 wherein said needles underlie the die cut in said second panel. 
     
     
       12. A suture package of claim 10 wherein said sutures are collated into a bundle of substantialy aligned strands and coiled between said third and fourth panels in a sequential figure-8 configuration. 
     
     
       13. A suture package of claim 10 enclosed in an outer envelope sealed around the periphery thereof. 
     
     
       14. A suture package of claim 13 wherein the tab of said second needle retaining panel extends into and is secured by the seal around the periphery of said outer envelope. 
     
     
       15. A suture package of claim 10 wherein said retainer is secured in its folded configuration by integral locking means. 
     
     
       16. A suture package of claim 10 wherein said needles are curved and are positioned with the outside of the curve oriented toward the foldline between said second and third panels.